So, we’re a tad late here (but who can keep up on ALL the speeches given every week>), but the President chose to add Rock Climbing to his speech launching Great Outdoors Month!

“Great Outdoors Month is a time for all Americans to share in the natural splendor of which we are all proud inheritors. Whether camping, fishing, rock climbing, or playing in a neighborhood park, nature offers each of us the opportunity to get active, explore, and strengthen our bonds with family and friends.”

Climber, photographer, and filmmaker Cory Richards accepted the Galen Rowell Award for the Art of Adventure in person this evening at Mountainfilm in Telluride. Administered by the AAC, this award honors an adventurer whose artistic passion illuminates the wild places of the world and whose accomplishments significantly benefit both the environment and the people who inhabit these lands and regions.

Executive Director Phil Powers and AAC member (and past Rowell Award winner) Jimmy Chin presented the award at the Sheridan Opera House on Friday before a special showing of House of Cards, a film about Chin’s ascent of Meru’s Shark’s Fin with Conrad Anker and Renan Ozturk (look for a feature about this ascent in the 2012 American Alpine Journal, out in August).

Richards was not expecting to be present for the ceremony. He fell ill on Everest at the end of April; while disappointed that he had to return home early, Richards was thrilled to be at Mountainfilm this year and to accept the award in person.

“It’s not only special to share adventures, but it’s vital,” Richards said. “We are all a part of the challenges our world is facing—we know what we have to lose.”

In support of conservation and adventure storytelling through film, the American Alpine Club is a Camp II sponsor of Mountainfilm.

The summer of 2012 starts the second decade of a human waste pack out program in Grand Teton National Park. Begun in 2001 to address human waste concerns in high alpine areas primarily with climbers, the program has expanded to include overnight campers, hikers and even day users. In recent years, the program has been fully funded by a grant from 1% for the Tetons that is administered by the American Alpine Club.

GTNP is recording positive results from this waste-bag give away program that also includes user education. The Park sees it as an integral part of its mission to preserve and protect our exceptional places while still inviting people from all over the world to enjoy them. Read the full report from the Park Service.

Want to be an AAC Member?

Here are a couple of the benefits you’ll receive as an American Alpine Club Member:
$5,000 in accident insurance
$5,000 rescue benefit package
The American Alpine Journal
Accidents in North American Mountaineering
20% off everything from Patagonia online